Liquid dispenser with outer housing



Dec. 21, 1965 F. J. BRUNS LIQUID DISPENSER WITH OUTER HOUSING Filed July 29, 1965 FRANK INVEN TOR.

J. BRUNS ATTORNEYS 3,224,646 LIQUID DKS'PENSER WETH UUTER HUUSKNG Frank J. Burns, Homewood, llL, assignor to Sinclair Research, Inc, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 29, 1963, Ser. No. 298,373 4 (Claims. (Cl. 222-l89) This invention is a novel gasoline dispenser containing a novel combination of strainer, valve and pump so arranged that the pump does not lose its prime as is often the case when using conventional gasoline dispensing devices. Ordinarily, service station gasoline dispensers are provided with brass foot valves in the gasoline storage tank at the lower end of the pipe which conveys gasoline to the dispenser. Such valves are often corroded by water, contaminants and certain gasoline additives, and some union check valve rubber gaskets are subject to attack by aromatic components of gasoline, thereby making them ineffective to prevent gasoline from draining out of the pump chamber back to the storage tank when the pump is not in operation. If the pump chamber is less than full, the pump is not fully primed. Loss of prime in the pump chamber results in delay in gasoline delivery, sputtering and uneven flow. Moreover, since these foot valves are located in storage tanks buried in the ground their repair is time-consuming and costly.

This invention eliminates the need for installation at the service station of inconveniently placed foot valve, angle check or union check valves. By its novel construction and placement, the valve provided in this invention works more easily and efiiciently to prevent loss of pump prime in the dispenser. The valve is less subject to corrosion and fouling by the accumulation of debris and also is located in a position above ground where it may be readily replaced if necessary. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the valve may be contained in its own housing fastened to the outside of the gasoline dispenser whence the entire housing and valve assembly may be readily removed for repairs or replaced as a unit.

The invention comprises a gasoline dispenser having a housing including a pump chamber with a pump therein, a suction line between the pump chamber and a source of gasoline outside the housing, and a suction chamber in the suction line, provided with a strainer. Preferably the strainer is cylindrical and is arranged for fluid flow from the outside to the inside of the cylinder. The pump is located in a pump chamber and in the passage between the suction chamber containing the strainer, and the pump chamber containing the pump, is located the check valve. Thus, gasoline to be pumped passes through the strainer and the valved passageway before reaching the pump. In this way, the gasoline passes through the dirt strainer before it flows to the valve thereby keeping the valve and valve seat free from dirt, rust, etc. which could prevent the complete closing of the check valve when flow stops. The valve is more accessible than the external check valves currently used, and is composed of easily removable parts. Furthermore, its location does not interfere with the use of either or both of the two conventional bottom inlets to the suction chamber of the gasoline dispenser.

The valve employed in this invention consists of a generally circular disk disposed in an approximately horizontal plane. The disk is attached to the bottom of a vertical stem, giving somewhat the appearance of an inverted mushroom. The housing for the valve includes an upper yoke assembly which provides a passageway in which the stem is free to slide up and down. The housnited States Patent 3,224,546 Patented Dec. 21, 1965 ing also includes a valve seat, preferably having a raised edge. The bottom face of the disc and the raised edge of the seat which come in contact in the closed position are smooth and flat and make intimate contact on all 360 of circumference, in this way preventing the leak-back of gasoline. In an all-metal construction, careful machining of the disc and seat achieves this sealing ability and it has been found that on assembly a light hammer blow against the stem breaks down any slight rough edges and improves the seal. This, and the wearing-in during service, contribute to the sealing action. A brass disc and a brass seat have been found to work satisfactorily; however, other metals or other materials could be used. Spring loading is usually not necessary in a brass valve, the closing of the valve being accomplished by gravity; however, with other materials such spring loading may prove desirable.

Alternatively a soft, non-metallic gasoline resist-ant material may be usedas a component of the disc, or as a component of the seat so that the seating surfaces are metal to non-metal. The combination used is a matter of personal preference, since all provide an adequate seal. Nitrile rubber is an example of a suitable non-metallic material.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a preferred embodiment of this invention but is not to be considered as limiting.

The drawing is a cross-section of part of a gasoline dispenser embodying this invention. The dispenser 8 is provided with liquid supply connections 10 which comprise part of the suction line leading to a lower outside source of gasoline (not shown) such as an underground tank. Gasoline flows from connections 10 to the suction chamber 12 whence it flows through the periphery of strainer 15 and exists through the internal end of the strainer. As shown, the suction chamber 12 preferably leads through the strainer to a passageway 17 leading to an opening 18 in the wall of the gasoline dispenser 8. Fastened to the wall of the dispenser at this portion is the removable valve housing 20. This housing consists essentially of a bell having a lower portion 22 having formed internally therein the raised, essentially horizontal valve seat 25. The valve housing 20 may be fastened in fluid tight engagement to the exterior of the dispenser 8 by any suitable means, for example, the bolts 27 and gasket 29. The valve housing may be made integral with the gasoline dispenser and may be located in an internal portion of the dispenser without departing from the novel combination of this invention.

The valve 30 is in the form of an inverted mushroom and includes the horizontally disposed disc 33 and the vertical stem 36. As shown, this stern fits freely in the passageway 39 of the housing cover 42. This cover may be fastened to the upper port-ion of the housing by any suitable means, for example, the threaded connection 44. Seals, for example, O-rings, 46, may be provided to assure fluid-tight engagement and a relief duct 48 may be provided in the cover 42 between the passage 39 and the fluid passageway.

As can be seen, the valve and valve seat divide the passageway between the suction chamber and the pump chamber into an upper portion 50 and a lower portion 53. The upper portion 50 leads to a second opening 55 in the wall of the gasoline dispenser 8 and provides access to the pump chamber 58 which contains the pump 60. As shown, this pump is of the impeller type conventionally employed in gasoline dispensers, but other types may also be employed. The pump leads to metering, by-passing, fluid separating devices, etc., within the gasoline dispenser which are not shown in the drawings 3 but which are well known to those skilled in the art; see, for example, US. Patent 2,680,538.

The valve 30 is accessible for inspection and renewal by the removal of cover 42 and seal 46; the entire housing 20 may be removed by unscrewing the bolts 27. As shown, passage 39 holds stem 36, and thus the entire valve 30, in vertical alignment over the seat 25. The

stem 36 is held loosely, that is, disc 33 is free to travel into upper chamber 50 in response to suction in the chambers 50 and 58. In the closed position the smooth face of disc 33 comes into intimate and sealing contact with the raised seat 25 of housing 20.

When gasoline is not being dispensed, disc 33 is held tightly against seating surface 25 by its own Weight and, more importantly, by the action of gravity on the volume of gasoline in chambers 50 and 58 which, in the absence of the valve, would drain back through chamber 12 to the source of gasoline.

When gasoline is dispensed the pump 60 rotates causing gasoline to pass from pump chamber 58 and be replaced by gasoline from chamber 50. Thus gasoline travels through inlets 10, suction chamber 12, screen 15, hole 18, and lower valve chamber 53, the upfiow causing lifting of the disc 33 from seat 25. As soon as gasoline dispensing is stopped, the upward flow against disc 33 stops and the disc drops and seats against 25.

It can easily be seen that this invention provides a service station gasoline pump having a valve on the suction side of the pump to prevent gasoline from draining from the pump chamber when the pump is not in operation and eliminating the need for a separate field installation and maintenance of a suction line foot valve. The valve in this invention is operable by gravity and is placed downstream of a strainer to avoid debris which might lodge on the valve or seat, preventing proper seating. Also, a preferred arrangement allows for ready accessibility to the valve for repair or replacement.

It is claimed:

1. A liquid dispenser having a first housing including a pump having an inlet means opening exteriorly of said housing chamber and a suction chamber adapted to be interconnected with a source of liquid outside of said housing and having an outlet means opening exteriorly of said housing, a pump in said pump chamber, a strainer in said suction chamber adapted to strain liquid passing therethrough, and a valve assembly comprising a valve housing detachably secured to said first housing on the outside thereof and having a passage therein the ends of which are in alignment with said inlet means and said outlet means for interconnecting said suction chamber and said pump chamber and a valve in said passage between said suction chamber and said pump chamber, said valve comprising an essentially horizontally disposed disc at the lower portion of an essentially vertical stem, means for seating the face of said valve opposite said stem to prevent flow through said passage from said pump chamber to said suction chamber, and passageway means in said valve housing and adapted to receive said vertical stem for keeping said valve vertically aligned with said valve seat while allowing upward and downward movement of said valve.

2. A liquid dispenser having a first housing including a pump chamber having an inlet means opening exteriorly of said housing and a suction chamber adapted to be interconnected with a source of liquid outside of said housing and having an outlet means opening exteriorly of said housing, a pump'in said pump chamber, a strainer in said suction chamber adapted to strain liquid passing therethrough, and a valve assembly comprising a valve housing detachably secured to said first housing on the outside thereof and having a passage therein the ends of which are in alignment with said inlet means and said outlet means for interconnecting said suction chamber and said pump chamber and a valve in said passage between said suction chamber and said pump chamber, said valve comprising an essentially horizontally disposed disc at the lower end of an essentially vertical stem, means for seating the face of said valve opposite said stem to prevent flow through said passage from said pump chamber to said suction chamber, passageway means in said valve housing and adapted to receive said vertical stem for keeping said valve vertically aligned with said valve seat while allowing upward and downward movement of said valve, and relief means in said valve housing between said passageway means and the interconnection between said suction chamber and said pump chamber for relieving pressure in said passageway.

3. A liquid dispenser having a first housing including a pump chamber having an inlet means opening exteriorly of said housing and a suction chamber adapted to be interconnected with a source of liquid outside of said housing and having an outlet means opening exteriorly of said housing, a pump in said pump chamber, a strainer in said suction chamber adapted to strain liquid passing therethrough, and a valve assembly comprising a valve housing secured to said first housing on the outside thereof and having a passage therein the ends of which are in alignment with said inlet means and said outlet means for interconnecting said suction chamber and said pump chamber, a housing cover removably secured to the top of said valve housing, and a valve in said passage between said suction chamber and said pump chamber, said valve comprising an essentially horizontally disposed disc at the lower end of an essentially vertical stem, means for seat-ing the face of said valve opposite said stem to prevent flow through said passage from said pump chamber to said suction chamber, passageway means in said housing cover and adapted to receive said vertical stem for keeping said valve vertically aligned with said valve seat while allowing upward and downward movement of said valve, and relief means in said housing cover between said passageway means and the interconnection between said suction chamber and said pump chamber for relieving pressure in said passageway.

4. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein said means for seating the valve comprises a valve seat in said passage having an essentially horizontal raised edge, the face of said disc opposite said stem seating upon said raised edge when said valve is in the closed position thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,960,970 5/1934 Fina 137533.3l X 2,291,856 8/1942 Willson lO3l35 2,395,973 3/1946 McIntosh 137-53331 X 2,827,922 3/1958 Guinard 137533.31 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 787,204 7/1935 France.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, LOUIS I. DEM=BO, Examiners. 

1. A LIQUID DISPENSER HAVING A FIRST HOUSING INCLUDING A PUMP HAVING AN INLET MEANS OPENING EXTERIORLY OF SAID HOUSING CHAMBER AND A SUCTION CHAMBER ADAPTED TO BE INTERCONNECTED WITH A SOURCE OF LIQUID OUTSIDE OF SAID HOUSING AND HAVING AN OUTLET MEANS OPENING EXTERIORLY OF SAID HOUSING, A PUMP IN SAID PUMP CHAMBER, A STRAINER IN SAID SUCTION CHAMBER ADAPTED TO STRAIN LIQUID PASSING THERETHROUGH, AND A VALVE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A VALVE HOUSING DETACHABLY SECURED TO SAID FIRST HOUSING ON THE HOUSING THEREOF AND HAVING A PASSAGE THEREIN THE ENDS OF WHICH ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID INLET MEANS AND SAID OUTLET MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING SAID SUCTION CHAMBER AND SAID PUMP CHAMBER AND A VALVE IN SAID PASSAGE BETWEEN SAID SUCTION CHAMBER AND SAID PUMP CHAMBER, SAID VALVE COMPRISING AN ESSENTIALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED DISC AT THE LOWER PORTION OF AN ESSENTIALLY VERTICAL STEM, MEANS FOR SEATING THE FACE OF SAID VALVE OPPOSITE SAID STEM TO PREVENT FLOW THROUGH SAID PASSAGE FROM SAID PUMP CHAMBER TO SAID SUCTION CHAMBER, AND PASSAGEWAY MEANS IN SAID VALVE HOUSING AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID VERTICAL STEM FOR KEEPING SAID VALVE VERTICALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID VALVE SEAT WHILE ALLOWING UPWARD AND DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID VALVE. 